Anderson [3] (United States)

The Anderson Motor Company was an American automobile manufacturer based in Rock Hill, South Carolina, operational from 1916 to 1925. The company emerged from a former carriage manufacturer founded in 1889 by John Gary Anderson. Prior to establishing the Anderson brand, Anderson attempted a car venture called the Rock Hill in 1910, which was a rebranded Norwalk vehicle that lasted less than a year.

The Anderson brand is recognized as the most successful of the three Anderson marques and is notable for being one of the few car manufacturers from the Southern United States during its time. The vehicles were designed by Joseph Anglada, who also contributed to the Liberty brand. The Anderson cars were medium-sized, equipped with a 3.7-litre Continental 6/40 engine, and offered in various body styles, including tourer, roadster, and racer. The company utilized locally sourced oak and ash for construction, which distinguished their vehicles. Their marketing emphasized local pride with the slogan "A Little Bit Higher in Price but Made in Dixie."

During World War I, the company diversified its production to include trailers for transporting aircraft, yet managed to produce 811 cars in 1918. By 1919, they expanded their offerings to include closed body styles, such as two sedans and a convertible sedan. Notably, the convertible 3-seater dickey seat was patented in multiple countries, including the United States and Great Britain. Sales initially flourished, peaking at 1,875 units in 1923, with a significant portion sold locally and some reaching northern states and even Great Britain.

However, the introduction of a smaller 3.2-litre engine in 1923 led to issues with cylinder-block warpage, which adversely affected the company's reputation. Competing against larger manufacturers like Buick proved challenging, and despite their regional appeal, the Anderson Motor Company struggled to maintain production. By 1925, only 136 cars were produced, and the factory ceased operations in September of that year. The company's assets were sold in 1926, and the factory remained vacant for two years before being repurposed for textile manufacturing. In total, approximately 10,000 Anderson cars were produced during its operational years.